Young artistes take the City by storm

The much-awaited Youth Festival, an extravaganza of dance, drama and music for the youth kept Delhizens enthralled in the week gone by. Organised by Delhi Government’s Department of Art, Culture and Languages, the six-day long festival staged performances of various new youth bands and dance groups from across the country.

This year the festival had many new things to offer including two aerial dance performances and a group composition of music performed by seven sarangi players. The extravaganza which began on November 20 culminated in a grand event on December 1 bringing alive the Central Park at Connaught Place.

The event included performances by the Agam Band and classical dance groups and students. Malti Shyam’s students performed Kathak, Madhimita Rao’s students performed Odissi, Guru Singhajit Singh’s group performed Manipuri, Sashidharan Nair’s students performed Chhau dance while noted danseuse Sonal Mansingh’s group performed Bharatnatyam.

The cultural event even as it empowered the country’s young achievers and
provided them a national platform to showcase their talents, also brought the brilliance and variety of this nation’s hoary culture and art under one roof, much to the delight of Delhiites.

The festival was a platform for an array of dance forms that depicted and brought alive classical ancient Indian traditions which seem have found favour with the youth to today.

Coming from every corner of the country, groups of young and talented artistes participated with vigour to make the event a great success. Be it contemporary, classical or folklore – there was a bit of everything to delight the audience. Musical performances by youth bands, laser light shows and aerial acts did their bit to keep the crowd mesmerised.

Sindhu Mishra, secretary, Sindhi Academy and deputy secretary, Sahitya Kala Parishad, the event organiser said, “We are extremely overwhelmed to see the acknowledgement this festival has received from people of all ages. There are many independent groups in our country who are continuously empowering the youngsters with adequate training in different art forms. Then, there are youth bands who have their own unique take on music and a huge fan following. So, our country makes up for a bunch of talent waiting to be explored and tapped. At the same time, these young dancers, musicians, cultural groups and trainers, need support and the right kind of exposure. The Youth Festival acts like their backbone and gives them the platform to showcase their talents.”

Leading puppeteer Dadi Pudumjee added a zing to the festival with a special puppet show. Giving the ongoing festival a much-needed edge, an exhibition showcasing best artworks by young artists from various art colleges of the Capital was also up
for display.

As part of their endeavour to keep intact and strengthen the country’s rich cultural roots that are deeply embedded in its dance, drama and art, and of course the youth, the Department of Art, Culture and Languages under ‘Delhi Celebrates’ annually holds this festival to ensure young achievers are recognised and encouraged to give full play to their talents and in turn also give a reason for celebration of arts in the cultural capital of the country – Delhi.